Roof wind deflector/rain protector

ABSTRACT

A movable panel assembly includes a panel movable between open and closed positions and also movable to a vented position. In the vented position a mesh member attached on one side to the panel and on another side to a guide or gutter structure extends to substantially cover the opening. The mesh member is flexible and collapses with the gutter guide assembly. The mesh member inhibits the intrusion of water into the passenger compartment and reduces wind noise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to a sunroof for a motor vehicle and specifically to a sunroof including a wind deflector and rain protector that reduces noise and prevents rain from entering the vehicle when in the vented position.

[0002] Typically, sunroofs are designed to allow a panel to be opened in a sliding direction to the rear of the vehicle to expose the entire opening. Further, many of these same sunroofs are designed to be tilted or pivoted upward by angling a rear portion of the sunroof to open into a vent position. In the vent position, the rear portion of the sunroof is pivoted upward from the motor vehicle roof to form an opening.

[0003] When the sunroof is in the vented position, excessive wind noise including a whistling sound may occur as the car is moving. Air flowing over the vented sunroof causes this wind noise. Further, in the vented position an opening is created that may allow rain to enter the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. As appreciated, this is an undesirable and uncomfortable for passengers within the motor vehicle. Often times it is desired to open the sunroof to the vented position even when it is raining outdoors.

[0004] It is known in the art to provide devices to address the wind noise and reduce such wind noise caused by turbulent air flowing over the tilted sunroof. One such device includes a seal that extends around the rear portion and two sides of the sunroof and includes a jagged edge. The jagged edge is designed to reduce and break up the turbulent air experienced at the rear of the vented sunroof. Such a device is adequate for simply reducing the wind noise caused by turbulent air whistling over the extended and tilted up rear portion of the sunroof; however, such a jagged shield has no effect and does not prevent rain from entering the motor vehicle.

[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a device and sunroof that both reduces wind noise caused by the turbulent effects of the tilted up sunroof panel, and prevents rain from entering the vehicle passenger compartment while still providing for the full opening of the sunroof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A disclosed embodiment of this invention is a sunroof for a motor vehicle including a mesh material that extends from the roof panel to a gutter guide assembly to reduce wind noise and prevent substantially all or any rain from entering a motor vehicle.

[0007] In an embodiment of this invention, the sunroof includes a mesh material that is attached to a gutter guide portion of the sunroof at one end and to a gutter guide portion of the motor vehicle at a second end. The mesh material is flexible and stretches when the sunroof assembly is pivoted to the vented position and substantially blocks and covers the entire opening created by the sunroof in the vented position. The mesh material extends around three sides of the sunroof to block the entire opening in the vented position. The mesh material is collapsible upon closing of the sunroof and collapses into the gutter guide portion of the sunroof assembly. The gutter guide portion of the sunroof assembly of the motor vehicle moves with the sunroof to the fully opened position by sliding rearward and downward.

[0008] Accordingly, the sunroof assembly of this invention reduces the amount of rain entering the vehicle passenger compartment and reduces wind noise by breaking up turbulent effects created by the vented sunroof position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sunroof assembly in the vented position;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mesh material that extends from the sunroof to the motor vehicle;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly in the vented position;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly in the closed position;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly as it is initiating rearward movement; and

[0014]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly as it is moved rearward to a fully open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle 10 includes a movable roof panel 12 extendable into a vented position and includes a meshed member 14. The mesh member 14 blocks an opening 20 created between the roof panel 12 and the motor vehicle 10. The roof panel 12 is preferably a sunroof window, however, it is within the contemplation of this invention that any movable panel assembly for use with a vehicle is within the contemplation of this invention.

[0016] In the vented position the rearward portion 22 of the roof panel 12 is extended above the roof 11 of the motor vehicle 10. The opening 20 is substantially blocked by the mesh member 14 on rear side 22 and first and second sides 24, 26. The meshed member 14 extends about all three sides 24, 26, 22 to prevent at least a portion of any rain from entering the vehicle compartment.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, a portion of the meshed member 14 is shown in a plan view. The mesh member 14 is preferably a flexible screen member stretchable between the roof panel 12 and the roof 11 of the motor vehicle and includes a plurality of openings 15 much like that of a typical screen. The mesh member 14 is stretchable to accommodate various positions of the roof panel 12 relative to the roof of the motor vehicle 10. Note that various materials and configurations of the mesh member are within the contemplation of this invention and a worker skilled in the art would understand material and configuration substitutions are within the scope of this invention.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the sunroof panel 12 is shown in the vented position where the rearward portion 22 of the sunroof panel 12 extends above the roof panel 11 of the motor vehicle 10 to create the opening 20. The roof panel 12 includes a seal 16 disposed on each side of the panel 12. The seal 16 provides for a water and airproof seal when in contact with the roof 11.

[0019] The roof panel 12 pivots about the arc shown at 28 to create the opening 20. The mesh member 14 is attached to a guide portion 36 of the roof panel 12 on a first end and to a gutter guide assembly 18 on a second end. The gutter guide assembly 18 is as known to a worker skilled in the art and provides a means for water evacuation from the area around the sunroof 12. Such configurations of gutter guide assemblies 18 are, as known in the art, and a worker skilled in the art would understand that many configurations are within the scope of this invention. The mesh member 14 is stretchable between the gutter guide assembly 18 and the guide member 36.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, when the roof panel 12 is moved into the closed position, each of the seals 16 are engaged to roof panel 11. The meshed member 14 collapses inside the gutter guide assembly 18. The mesh member 14 substantially disappears from view of occupants when collapsed within the gutter guide assembly 18.

[0021] In addition, when the meshed member 14 collapses within the gutter guide arrangement 18 of the sunroof 12, it is substantially placed in a position where it does not obstruct movement of the sunroof to the fully opened position. Referring to FIG. 5, the sunroof panel 12 is shown as it tilts downward in preparation for movement rearward to a fully opened position. As the sunroof 12 moves downward into the gutter guide assembly 18, the mesh member 14 further collapses within the gutter guide arrangement 18 so as to not obstruct movement of the roof panel 12 rearward as indicated by the arrow 34 towards the fully opened position.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, the sunroof 12 is shown substantially moved toward the rear as indicated by arrow 34 to a fully opened position. The mesh member 14 is collapsed within the gutter guide arrangement 18 then moves with the sunroof 12 rearward to the fully opened position.

[0023] The mesh member 14 substantially prevents rain from entering the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle by providing the meshed member 14 with a plurality of openings 15 that allows air to exit the motor vehicle in a venting arrangement while substantially preventing rain from entering the motor vehicle through the plurality of openings 15. As appreciated, water may penetrate a meshed member 15. However, in the vented position substantially the entire mesh member is covered from rain directly entering and contacting the mesh member 14. During movement of the vehicle 10 down an incline, it is possible that the mesh member 14 to be exposed to direct rain fall. The mesh member 14 disrupts entry of rain into the passenger compartment. This is a minimal occurrence and even the amount of moisture or rain that is able to penetrate the mesh member 14 is minimal and is acceptable to passenger within the passenger compartment.

[0024] As appreciated, the mesh member 14 surrounds three sides of the roof panel 12 and is flexible to allow for various venting positions of the sunroof assembly 12. It is known to set the opening 20 of the vent position by an operator within the motor vehicle 10. The mesh member 14 of this invention allows for any variation vent position of the roof assembly 12 from the completely closed position to the fully opened and vented position. Further, the mesh member collapses fully within the gutter guide assembly 18 such that it does not obstruct movement of the sunroof 12 toward the fully opened position. The fully opened position is accomplished as is shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 by lowering the rearward portion of the sunroof assembly 12 and moving it rearward as indicated by the arrow 34 to completely uncover the opening 20.

[0025] The foregoing description is exemplary and not just a material specification. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications are within the scope of this invention. It is understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A movable panel assembly comprising; a panel movable between open and closed positions within an opening; and a mesh member attached to said panel blocking at least a portion of said opening when said panel is in said open position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said mesh member includes a plurality of openings to allow air flow through said mesh member.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said mesh member extends about three sides of said panel.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said open position is further defined as a pivoted open position such that one side of said panel moves relative to said opening.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, further including a support member supporting said panel.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said mesh member is attached to said support member and to said panel.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said panel slides with said support member relative to said opening.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said mesh member collapses allowing said panel to slide relative to said opening.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said mesh member is collapsible.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said mesh member includes a plurality of openings sized to prevent at least some water from passing through said mesh member. 